VATICAN, March 1, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- The Transfiguration reveals the glory of Christ and demands a response of listening to and following Jesus, Pope Francis said in his Sunday Angelus address March 1. Last week the faithful were shown Christ victorious in the desert after enduring temptation from the devil, a reminder of the victory [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 28, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- In an audience with the Confederazione Cooperative Italiane (confederation of Italian co-operatives) Pope Francis called for the “globalization of solidarity” which places the dignity of persons and families at the center of social justice. “To globalize solidarity,” the Pope said during the Feb. 28 gathering, “means thinking about spiraling [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 28, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- Two years after his historic resignation from the papacy, Benedict XVI’s presence continues to be felt by those around him as he keeps his promise to remain in quiet and prayerful service to the Church and the world. “We always know that Pope Emeritus Benedict is present in the [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 28, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- An upcoming presentation of a Vatican-sponsored Pan-Amazonia Network may shed light on how a possible curial office for human ecology would work, if curial reform is shaped as it was presented at the Feb. 12 consistory. The Ecclesial Network of the Pan-Amazonia was established Sep. 9-12 in Brazil with [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 27, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- While Pope Francis has altered the custom of his predecessors by leaving the Vatican for his yearly Lenten retreat, one priest tells CNA the pontiff is merely being true to his Jesuit roots. “This is what Jesuits do,” said Fr. Joseph Carola, S.J., theology professor at Rome’s Gregorian University [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 27, 2015 (CNA).- Willy Herteleer, a homeless man who lived on the side streets outside St. Peter’s Basilica, made headlines after his death, when he received a special burial in the Vatican’s Teutonic Cemetery. The following is an account of his story as told by Msgr. Amerigo Ciani, a canon of St. Peter’s Basilica [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 27, 2015 (CNS) — As Catholics are encouraged to make going to confession a significant part of their lives during Lent, Pope Francis offered some quick tips to help people prepare for the sacrament of penance. After a brief explanation of why people should go to confession — “because we are all sinners” [...]

ROME, Feb. 26, 2015 (CNS) — With the aim of ensuring that the public display of the Shroud of Turin promotes conversion and healing, the archbishop of Turin has given priests throughout the archdiocese special faculties to offer absolution to women who confess to having had an abortion. The display of the shroud April 19-June [...]

ROME, Feb. 26, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- The number of ISIS hostages in Syria has increased to at least 250 after continued attacks on Christian villages, and civilians fleeing to the Turkish border have been stranded when not allowed to cross. “There are 200 families who were running away and trying to escape to Turkey, but [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 25, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- Thanks to a two-year increase to retirement age and other financial interventions, the Vatican’s pension fund is consistent and the the funding ratio of the pension fund is 95 percent, the Holy See stated Feb. 20. The release was issued “since for some months, and amplified by press reports, [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 25, 2015 (CNS) — Thirty-five years ago, when John Klink was working for Catholic Relief Services in Yemen, Blessed Teresa of Kolkata came to visit her Missionaries of Charities there. The first question the legendary missionary asked the young relief worker was: “Do you have a girlfriend?” Told his girlfriend was more than [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 25, 2015 (CNA).- The Vatican on Wednesday issued a statement clarifying a private comment made by Pope Francis to a friend warning that his native Argentina was in danger of a “Mexicanization” by drug traffickers. “The Pope did not in any way intend to offend the Mexican population, for whom he holds special [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 24, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- The commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard says the group of soldiers charged with protecting the Pope is on high alert and ready to act if any threat from ISIS materializes. “We are ready to intervene. Our job is security. and as gendarmes we are well organized. We are [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 24, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- By gathering the members of the Roman Curia for Lenten spiritual exercises this week, Pope Francis is participating in a tradition that stretches back more than 80 years, to the pontificate of Pius XI. The Roman Curia are on retreat Feb. 22-27 on the theme “Servants and prophets of [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 23, 2015 (CNS) — The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church invited Pope Francis to visit the war-torn nation, saying it would help bring peace. “It would be a prophetic gesture that would show the power of prayer and Christian solidarity, give us courage and hope and build a better future for everyone,” [...]

VATICAN, Feb. 23, 2015 (CNA/EWTN News).- St. Gregory of Narek – a tenth century priest, monk, mystic, and poet beloved among Armenian Christians – has become the first Armenian to be named a Doctor of the Church. “It is a great honor for the Armenian Church to contribute to this very important rank of saints [...]